Pyramids FC target away win as Hany Saeed demands strong CAF Champions League start

Pyramids FC sporting director Hany Saeed says the club’s primary objective is to win away from home when they begin their CAF Champions League campaign against Kenya’s Gor Mahia on Sunday.

The Egyptian side travel for the first leg of their preliminary-round tie, with the return match scheduled to take place next Sunday.

“Starting well is always important and gives us a positive boost at the beginning of the competition,” Saeed said through Pyramids FC’s media centre. “Hopefully, we will put in a good performance in the first leg that will help us in the return match.”

Saeed acknowledged the difficulties traditionally associated with playing in African competitions but believes Pyramids FC have moved beyond the problems they previously experienced in away matches.

“I hope the players are in good condition and highly focused, and that we return with a victory,” he said. “The atmosphere of playing in Africa can be difficult, but we have overcome this stage. We have been taking part in the competition for years and have moved beyond being affected by playing away from home. Our aim is to win whether we are playing away or at home.”

Pyramids FC won the CAF Champions League for the first time in the 2024-25 season, beating Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 on aggregate over the two legs. Saeed said that previous success could provide an advantage, although it would not reduce the importance of the forthcoming tie.

“We have won this competition before, and of course that makes a big difference when you participate as a former champion,” he said. “But it never diminishes the importance of the match ahead of us, and we have to focus on it.”

For Saeed, the result matters more than the quality of the performance in matches of this nature. He said his priority was to see every player fully committed, while the technical aspects of the game remained the responsibility of the coach.

“Winning matches like these is certainly more important than the performance,” Saeed said. “The most important thing for me is that the player enters the match with complete focus. As for the technical condition, that is the coach’s responsibility, but what matters to me is to see every player give 100% of his effort on the pitch.”

His comments followed Pyramids FC’s recent Egyptian Premier League match against Al Masry, in which he felt some players had failed to show the level of commitment expected.

“In the match against Al Masry in the league, we did not do this to the required standard,” he added. “This concerns some players and not all of them. I am not used to seeing that from my team. I am used to the players giving everything they have on the pitch.”

The first leg against Gor Mahia will be played in Kenya on Sunday, with the return fixture taking place the following Sunday.

Pyramids FC currently sit top of the Egyptian Premier League with nine points, level with Al Ahly but ahead on goal difference.